Subaru Odometer Class Action Settlement

A class action lawsuit claiming the odometers in some Subaru vehicles don’t reflect the actual number of miles driven has finally reached a settlement. If you purchased or leased a 2002 to 2007 model year Subaru vehicle, you may be entitled to several benefits under the proposed class action lawsuit settlement.

The 2007 class action lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York on behalf of all owners and lessees of Subaru vehicles sold or leased in the United States from March 22, 2002 to the present. According to the class action lawsuit, Subaru of America, Inc. breached the warranty on these vehicles and violated the Federal Odometer Act because the odometers overstated the vehicle’s actual mileage. Subaru denies these allegations and maintains that is odometers meet and exceed industry standards, but has agreed to settle the lawsuit in order to end litigation.

If you fit the class member requirements, you could receive one of the following benefits if the class action settlement is approved:

(1) If you purchased or leased a class vehicle, Subaru will extend the mileage-based coverage periods of the following warranties by 5%:  Original Warranty, Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Extended Service Contract (CPO), or the Subaru Added Security Service contract. Anyone who has one of these active warranties will automatically receive this extension.

(2) If you already paid for a repair that would have been covered by an Original Warranty, CPO or Added Security Contract — as extended in the Proposed Settlement — you can file a claim for reimbursement. Claim forms must be postmarked within 180 days after the settlement is finally approved by the Court.

(3) If you leased a class vehicle from Subaru Auto Leasing, Subaru will increase the original mileage allowances by 5%. For example, if you have a three-year lease for a class vehicle that permits up to 36,000 miles of driving without any charge for excess mileage, the allowed mileage will be increased by 37,800.

(4) If you already paid for excess miles that are within the 5% extension of the original mileage limitation, and are entitled to a refund under the Proposed Settlement, you will receive an automatic refund if you leased through Subaru Auto Leasing as long as Subaru Auto Leasing has your current mailing address. (If you don’t receive a refund within eight weeks after the fairness shearing and believe that you’re entitled to one, contact Customer Dealer Service at 800-345-6448 to submit a claim.) If you leased through any other leasing company and are entitled to a refund under the Proposed Settlement, you can file a claim for reimbursement if you have already paid for excess mileage charges at the termination of your lease. Claim forms must be postmarked within 180 days after the settlement is finally approved by the Court.

A fairness hearing will be held November 8, 2010. More information on the Subaru Odometer Class Action Lawsuit Settlement, including information on how to file a claim, can be found in the Top Class Actions article covering this settlement. You can also visit www.odometersettlement.com.